Skip to content
Curious as a Cathy
Menu
  • Home
  • About the author
    • The Tale of Ole Green Eyes
    • A Poet I am Not
    • Blog Achievements
  • A to Z Challenge
  • Daily Blog Hops
  • 2025 4M Themes
Menu

Mad World #BoTB showdown

Posted on March 2, 2020

The weekends I’m MIA and with the first falling on a Sunday, I didn’t want my battle to interfere with my Songsational Sundays slot for obvious reasons, so I opted to push the showdown off a day.

 At the end of last July, my good pal Alana at Ramblin’ with AM inspired me for today’s battle song when she shared Tears For Fears, Mad World on the 4M dance floor.   

Almost 5-year ago, on June 1 2015, I used Mad World in a showdown and I’m sure I’m not the only BoTBer who’s featured this song in the past, so let’s see where this takes me this time around, shall we?

The lyrics and mewsic is moody, kinda putting me in a bit of melancholy state every time I hear it and the effect of the instrumental arrangements casts the same mindset. Listen to the Cello & Piano duet, the Guitarist, and Violinist

Contender #1 The Brooklyn Duo with Marnie Laird on piano and Patrick Laird on cello.

Contender #2  James Bartholomew on guitar.

Contender #3 Jackie Kay on violin using a Jasmine Thompson backing track. It’s interesting to note that in my 2015 battle, I used Jasmine as one of the contenders and the showdown ended in a tie.

Who gets your vote, Marnie & Patric,  James,  or Jackie?


    [tweetthis]I just voted in the ‘Mad World’ #BoTB showdown & you’re invited to play along. #coverbands #instrumental[/tweetthis]

    You’ll find more awesome battles underway at some of these blog listed below (not everyone is doing the bi-monthly showdowns now) and if you’d like to be included in the fun, then contact Stephen requesting to be added to the list.

    • ailovemusic (Amy)
    • Cherdo on the Flipside
    • The Doglady’s Den (Debbie) 15th only
    • Jingle Jangle Jungle (Mary)
    • Mike’s Ramblings 
    • STMcC Presents BoTB (Stephen, BoTB Manager) 15th only
    • Storms and Stardust (Kim)
    • The Sound of One Hand Typing (John)
    • Tossing It Out (Lee)

    Polls close noon (EST) on the 7th of this month!

    The results for this battle will post, a week from today, so be sure to mark your calendar to see if your favorite artist wins this round of Battle of the Bands.

    Join me around 6am with ‘name song titles/lyrics‘ spinning on the ole jukebox on the Monday’s Mewsic Moves Me dance floor!

    X💋X💋, Cathy



    • Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram
    • Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
    • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
    • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
    • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
    • Click to print (Opens in new window) Print

    Like this:

    Like Loading...

    Discover more from Curious as a Cathy

    Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

    31 thoughts on “Mad World #BoTB showdown”

    1. Alana Mautone (@RamblinGarden) says:
      March 7, 2020 at 1:28 pm

      I’m late, but I am going to chime in, anyway (thank you for the shoutout, too). Brooklyn Duo would have been my vote. Having said that, I am intrigued by all three covers being inspired by the Gary Jules cover rather than the Tears for Fears original. Truth to tell, I like the Gary Jules cover better than the original, which will get me drummed out of the Tears for Fears fan club but really, Tears for Fears should have slowed it down. They were trying, I think, to portray the madness more than the sadness. The link to your original BoTB of this song, by the way, did not work for me.

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 7, 2020 at 2:37 pm

        Alana,

        Thanks for letting me know the original Mad World BoTB from 2015 didn’t work. I made a change in settings this week and that is why but now it does. I like Gary Jules cover better than Tears for Fears version, too.

        Loading...
    2. Kim @ Storms and Stardust says:
      March 3, 2020 at 9:53 pm

      Cathy,

      MARNIE AND PATRIC get my vote….I really liked the combination of their instruments the best of the three contenders.

      Are you still having trouble leaving a comment with your site url at my place? If so, I am so sorry. I literally have no clue what the issue could be. I know when I leave a comment here, I have to hyperlink my site because for some reason, the fact that I also have a wordpress dot com account in addition to self-hosted, it automatically wants to use my wordpress dot com credentials, which leads to the wordpress dot com page and not my blog. I haven’t figured out a way around that, either.

      Kim

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 4, 2020 at 6:08 am

        Kim,

        It was an accident that I used my WP credentials when I left my comment the other day but honestly I can’t remember if I’m still having problems with my WP sign-in info. I’ll test things out in a few minutes. Thanks for finding time to vote for THE BROOKLYN DUO. 🙂

        Loading...
    3. Michael Todd says:
      March 3, 2020 at 7:38 pm

      Jackie, please, on the violin. That last note made her happy. It made me happy, too.

      Go Team Jackie!

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 4, 2020 at 6:08 am

        Myke,

        Gotcha down for JACKIE, my friend!

        Loading...
    4. Birgit says:
      March 3, 2020 at 3:14 pm

      Oh this is a toss up but I will go with the Brooklyn Duo because I love the melancholy feel this duo gave. I love Jackie but this seemed more dream like and the song needed the sadness. Her violin is really different looking

      Loading...
    5. Debbie D. says:
      March 3, 2020 at 9:08 am

      This is such a beautiful song! 💗 I enjoyed all three but it was the piano and cello that triggered the strongest reaction. Please give my vote to The Brooklyn Duo.

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 3, 2020 at 9:47 am

        Debbie, thanks for stopping by to check out my showdown. The Brooklyn Duo gets another vote. 🙂

        Loading...
    6. Stephen T. McCarthy says:
      March 2, 2020 at 11:33 pm

      CAThy! It’s That “Mew”?

      I don’t think I’ve ever heard this song / instrumental before. But widout a shred o’doubt, my “bote” goes to the first “contenduh”: The Brooklyn Duo.

      I mean, seriously, it was just so much richer in sound and melancholia.

      ~ Stephen
      DogGtor of Alcohology &
      King of Inebriation Nation

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 3, 2020 at 6:02 am

        Stephen,

        Yep, yep it’s meeeooow! 🙂 It looks like I didn’t do such a swell job matching these three contenders. Unless things change and honestly I don’t know if it’ll happen then your pick THE BROOKLYN DUO along with five others will win this thang. Thanks for stopping by, my friend.

        Loading...
    7. createwithjoy says:
      March 2, 2020 at 6:41 pm

      Hi Cathy,
      Did you see the 1st episode of Zoe’s Extraordinary Play List? The clip that featured this song was just haunting!
      Great battle choice picks. Like them all but my vote goes to #1 The Brooklyn Duo! 🙂

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 3, 2020 at 5:59 am

        Ramona,

        I haven’t watched any of Zoe’s Extraordinary Play List. I will have to look into now that you’ve brought it to my attention. Do you like it? Thanks for voting for THE BROOKLYN DUO!

        Loading...
        1. createwithjoy says:
          March 3, 2020 at 1:46 pm

          It’s different and offbeat! I’ve only seen the first episode so far. I’ve recorded a few more as I found the concept intriguing and the musical aspects fun, so I will watch another one or two to determine my interest level before making a final decision.

          Loading...
          1. createwithjoy says:
            March 3, 2020 at 1:47 pm

            Oh, if you check it out, I think there is a “pre-season episode” before the season officially starts that sets the scenario for the show – if there is, that’s the one I watched.

            Loading...
    8. aisasami says:
      March 2, 2020 at 1:12 pm

      “Mad World” isn’t my favorite as I love more of the eccentric side of the duo with songs like “Mother’s Talk”. But, I love Jackie Kay’s cover and my vote goes for her! Check out my battle when you have a chance!

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 3, 2020 at 5:57 am

        Amy,

        I noticed last night somehow your link wasn’t in my post so I updated it to include. I’m sorry about that, my dear. Thanks for stopping by to vote for JACKIE KAY. I’m heading over to your place to check out your battle contenders.

        Loading...
    9. Sandee says:
      March 2, 2020 at 12:33 pm

      Tough to choose today. Okay, I’m going with #2.

      Have a fabulous day and week. Love and hugs. ♥

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 3, 2020 at 5:54 am

        Great, another vote for JAMES BARTHOLOMEW. Thanks for voting, Sandee!

        Loading...
    10. John Holton says:
      March 2, 2020 at 12:18 pm

      Fingerstyle guitar wins every time with me. James Bartholomew for me!

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 3, 2020 at 5:54 am

        John,

        Something told me you’d probably go with ole Jimbo. I’m glad to see JAMES BARTHOLOMEW get his first vote. 🙂

        Loading...
    11. -Eugenia says:
      March 2, 2020 at 9:02 am

      Wow! This battle is difficult because I like them all. I’m going with The Brooklyn Duo because I love the piano effect.

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 2, 2020 at 9:23 am

        Eugenia,

        So glad that you joined me for this showdown. Another vote goes to THE BROOKLYN DUO!

        Loading...
    12. Thomas Anderson says:
      March 2, 2020 at 6:12 am

      Hi, Cathy!

      Happy month of March, dear friend! Can the April A-2-Z be far behind? 🙂 For this band battle you picked three great instrumental performances of “Mad World.” I like them all, and that made it difficult to name a favorite. I finally narrowed the field down to entry #1 and entry #3 because I get more of a visceral response from piano, cello and violin, and I think those instruments more effectively convey the mood of the song. Seeing as how Jackie Kay borrowed a preexisting backing track for her violin performance, I am voting for Brooklyn Duo because they generated all the mewsic themselves. Marnie’s light tinkling of the piano keys is ideal for the composition and Patrick’s cello gently weeps. It’s a wonderful performance by the talented pair and I give them my vote.

      Have a tunetastic week, dear friend Cathy!

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 2, 2020 at 9:21 am

        Tom,

        Greetings, my friend! Thanks for joining me today for my first BoTB this month and for going with THE BROOKLYN DUO in this round. I couldn’t agree with you more about them being a talented pair. They are marvelous together!

        Loading...
    13. Arlee Bird says:
      March 2, 2020 at 1:01 am

      I’m going with Brooklyn Duo for purity of tone and more natural sound. Love the shimmering piano effect.

      Arlee Bird
      Tossing It Out

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 2, 2020 at 6:01 am

        Lee,

        The Brooklyn Duo are beautifully paired and they get another vote!

        Loading...
    14. Mary B says:
      March 2, 2020 at 12:28 am

      Hi Cathy!

      I’ve always liked this melancholy tune. I’m a little torn right now between which version I like best. I really think the violin and cello are very well suited for this one. And now I have to choose? hmmmm.

      Okay. I’ve given a few listens now. I’m voting for the Brooklyn Duo. It just spoke to me a little bit more. hope you are well. I’m dealing with pneumonia that I hope goes away quickly.

      ~Mary

      Loading...
      1. Cathy Kennedy says:
        March 2, 2020 at 5:54 am

        Mary,

        I saw your post on Facebook that you have pneumonia. I was sorry to read about the news. What a bummer! I hope it clears up quickly. I remember when I was in the hospital in 2013 I had to use this breathing tube thingy to exercise my lungs to prevent pneumonia from setting in due to my inactivity. I don’t know that I had it but it sure was difficult to breathe in that thing. I’m saying prayers for your body to rid itself of the pneumonia and for you to be on the road to good health on all levels.

        Thanks for stopping by to listen to my battle artists and for voting for The BROOKLYN DUO, my dear.

        Loading...
      2. Cherdo says:
        March 2, 2020 at 8:26 am

        Wow, great song and great match up…too great! I’m having a hard time!

        I guess my string obsession is in overdrive…lions and tigers and bears…and cellos and guitars and violins!!

        Give my vote to JACKIE today. Nice, nice battle!

        Loading...
        1. Cathy Kennedy says:
          March 2, 2020 at 9:22 am

          Cherdo,

          Thanks for finding time this morning before the week gets too hectic to cast your vote for JACKIE!

          Loading...

    Comments are closed.

    Bible verse of the day

    A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!
    Proverbs 15:23

    Click the 4M banner for weekly music prompts

    4M Guidelines: Below are the 4M co-hostess. The rules are simple. Every other week, a suggested (not mandatory) theme is given to build your song picks. We're looking for embedded music to enjoy, one song or several. On the off weeks, we dance to whatever music moves you (your choice)! It's just that easy. Have fun and welcome to the party!

    Curious as a Cathy
    Ramblin' with AM
    StacyUncorked
    XmasDolly

    Post Activity At A Glance

    June 2025
    M T W T F S S
     1
    2345678
    9101112131415
    16171819202122
    23242526272829
    30  
    « May    

    BOTB

    BOTB By Debbie D
    Jingle Jangle Jungle
    Mike's Ramblings
    STMC presents BOTB
    Landmark Sounds
    Stine Writing
    The Sound of One Hand Typing
    Tossing It Out
    Trivial Music Sillness

    Battles held bi-monthly on the 1st and 15th. Newcomers are welcome!

    Looking for something?

    My travel photo are being moved, please join me there!

    Due to storage limitations on my current host site, I am moving old posts and plan to share new travel pictures to this new blog. Eventually, I hope to bring everything back together. It just may take awhile to get everything back the way I want.
      MONDAYS - WEDNESDAYS

    Comedy Plus for Awww Mondays, Happy Tuesdays, & Wordless Wednesdays  

    THURSDAYS
    Rain Frances Creations for Thursday Art Date
    Brian’s Home for Thankful Thursdays
    Moonwashed Musings for Weekly Poetry Prompt
    The Sound of One Hand Typing for Writer’s Workshop

    FRIDAYS
    DV Artist for Friday Face Off
    15andMeowing & Four-Legged Furballs for Friendly Fill-ins
    MessyMimi for Feline Fridays
     

    100% American Girl

    I'm a proud member of these freedom of speech platforms


    Gab

    MeWe

    Ethical Author Code

    I'm an Ethical Author

    Blog Stats

    • 275,988 hits

    Community

    • jeanvivace
    • willowdot21
    • 15andmeowing
    • Don Ostertag
    • messymimi's meanderings
    • Nicole/DVArtist
    • CAAC
    • qurbanali awan
    • Eugi
    • Kymber @booomcha
    ©2025 Curious as a Cathy | Design: Newspaperly WordPress Theme
    Menu
    • Home
    • About the author
      • The Tale of Ole Green Eyes
      • A Poet I am Not
      • Blog Achievements
    • A to Z Challenge
    • Daily Blog Hops
    • 2025 4M Themes
    %d